South Jeffco resident Carrie Ann Smith was charged with three felonies March 17 in the theft of more than $100,000 from the South Jeffco Sports Association.

Smith appeared in county court March 18 to be advised of the charges against her: theft of more than $20,000 and two counts of forgery of checks. Outside the courtroom before the hearing, she declined to comment on the case. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. April 22.

SOUTH JEFFCO — A Littleton man, concerned that the incessant barking of his dogs while he was away from home was upsetting the neighbors, thoughtfully decided that the solution was to leave his music on loud enough to drown out the curs’ cacophony. A pair of neighbors next door called the sheriff’s office to complain about the music, and one of the neighbors mentioned he had tried to speak to the dogs’ owner, and he barked back that he was a “cop.” Another neighbor said: “It’s all the time.

Editor's Note: The original version of this story incorrectly referred to issues related to Westminster as being issues that related to Wheat Ridge. Also, J.B. Espinoza was incorrectly referred to as "she" due to an editing error. The Courier regrets the errors and will also run a correction in the March 26 print edition.

Supporters of a Jefferson County library district will have to wait until at least June to find out whether the proposal will become reality.

The proposed 3-mill increase being sought by the Foothills Park and Recreation District in May is needed for capital repairs and increased operating expenses, according to district spokeswoman Mary Pat Adams, who has said the district may have to cut services this summer if the tax increase isn’t approved.

Dennis Weyl, a South Jeffco resident for the last 29 years, doesn’t agree.

“Frankly, I think they need to tighten their belts and live within their means,” Weyl said. “The rest of us do.”

SOUTH JEFFCO — When you gotta go, you gotta go. But please, try to find a bathroom. Last week a sheriff’s deputy pulled into a parking lot at South Simms Street and West Brandt Place, and he observed a young man urinating on the sidewalk. Why on Earth would he be urinating on the sidewalk, the deputy inquired. “I’m not sure,” the young man said, adding that he had been drinking at a nearby bar with a friend.

Members of the Jefferson County SWAT Team couldn’t precisely reproduce the stressful conditions they face in the field for a handful of SWAT Team candidates last week. But they sure gave it a mighty effort.

Eight candidates from the Arvada Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office were trying out for three spots on the elite squad. The candidates had a general idea of what they were getting themselves into, but had no way of knowing how difficult it would actually be.

A room on the second floor of the Jefferson County Courts and Administration Facility will be converted into a courtroom to make room for an additional district judge at a cost of $574,000 to $684,000.

When Capt. Patricia Woodin comes to work every day at the South Precinct of the Jeffco Sheriff’s Office, her focus is squarely on customer service.

“We’re responsible for customer service,” Woodin said recently in her office. “A lot of government agencies don’t have that take.”

Part of that approach is providing the “same level of service with a little bit less,” a reference to the fact that the sheriff’s office is dealing with budget cuts along with all other county-funded operations.